A crucial skill needed to pass the APC is being able to differentiate between Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3 of your competencies. Having helped numerous candidates over the past 9 years, a surprising number of them do not understand the difference and would therefore be at risk of failing their APC because of this. For example an assessor asking a Level 3 question expects the candidate to explain when they have provided best practice and helpful advice to their clients. Without a clear understanding of what each level requires, the APC process becomes significantly more challenging than it needs to be. During this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know to improve your interview technique and address exactly what the assessors are looking for at each level.
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 refers to the level of attainment required to achieve each of the RICS APC competencies. Level 1 requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding, Level 2 requires evidence of practical experience and Level 3 requires candidates to demonstrate their advice and depth of knowledge.
Level 1 Explained
Level 1 is where the assessors require you to demonstrate your basic knowledge and awareness only. These are also referred to as the knowing questions and to address these you can talk through the research you have undertaken during University, work training or private study. Some examples of Level 1 Questions are:-
- What are the principles of client care?
- What are the RICS Rules of Conduct?
To address Level 1 questions, candidates should use concise, definitive statements only. No reference to practical experience is required, instead refer to your knowledge and awareness. For example to address the question, ‘What are the RICS Rules of Conduct?’ a candidate could advise that ‘The Rules of Conduct are 5 Fold and include:
- Rule 1 – Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to RICS.
- Rule 2 – Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise.
- Rule 3 – Members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service.
- Rule 4 – Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion.
- Rule 5 – Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.’
Level 2 Explained
Level 2 is where the assessors require you to make reference to your own practical experience. These are also referred to as the doing questions and to address these you need to talk through the practical experience you have personally gained. Some examples of Level 2 Questions are:-
- How did you undertake the valuation?
- How do you identify potential clients?
- Have you ever received a complaint?
Address Level 2 Questions by providing specific examples in the past tense by reflecting on your own practical experience, for example, ‘I have identified clients previously by working at a project level and building relationships with the Project Delivery team. By representing my firm to a high standard and making others aware of my firms’ capability I was approached by a new client to provide a Fire Reinstatement Report on a new development’. Remember to talk in the past tense about your own experience, not the experience of the team or others that you have supported.
Level 3 Explained
Level 3 is where the assessors require you to make reference to your own practical experience and explain when you have provided advice to your clients. These are also referred to as the advising questions and to address these you can talk through the times when you have provided your clients with best practice and helpful advice. Some examples of Level 3 Questions are:-
- Why did you advise your client to use a JCT Minor works contract instead of the Intermediate form?
- If a client approached you and asked for advice on VAT payments how would you respond?
- On receiving notification that the Main Contractor had gone into administration, how would you advise your client to proceed?
Address Level 3 Questions by providing specific examples in the past tense of when you have provided advice to a client or what advice you would give for example; ‘I would advise the client that providing advice on VAT payments is outside my area of expertise and scope of services. I would recommend that they seek advice from a Qualified Accountant’.
Writing Up Your Submission At Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3
Now that we have improved our understanding of the requirements to address APC questions at Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3, we will also provide some examples of how to write up your submission documents at each of these levels. This will follow the very same principles as the above in that:-
- Level 1 – Requires references to your knowledge and awareness only.
- Level 2 – Requires references to your practical experience.
- Level 3 – Requires references to your practical experience when you have provided advice.
We can see from the below Summary of Experience examples how this is achieved:-
Level 1 Example Submission
We can see from this submission example that only references to the candidates knowledge and awareness have been made. No references to practical experience are required at this level. For access to example submission documents used by previous APC candidates please click here.
Level 2 Example Submission
We can see from this submission example that only references to the candidates practical experience have been made. It is essential to explain to the assessors the experience you have personally gained and the actions you have taken. It must not be the actions of others, it must be your own experience to achieve competencies up to Level 2. For access to example submission documents used by previous APC candidates please click here.
Level 3 Example Submission
Within this submission example, only references to the candidates practical experience have been made from the times when they have provided their clients with best practice and helpful advice. Again this must be from your own personal experience and not the experience of others to achieve the competency up to Level 3. For access to example submission documents used by previous APC candidates please click here.
Video Mock Interview Practice To Address Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3 Questions
Please watch our tutorial below on how to improve your interview technique when addressing questions at Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3.
RICS APC Q&A STUDY GUIDES
